–Awards ₦2m Cost Against Turaki Faction
The Court of Appeal of Nigeria has upheld the decision of the Federal High Court of Nigeria restraining the planned National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), SAVANNAH NEWSNOW REPORTS.
In a ruling delivered in Abuja, the appellate court dismissed the appeal filed by a faction of the party led by Taminu Turaki, describing the action as lacking merit.
The court affirmed the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court which had stopped the PDP from proceeding with its proposed National Convention following a suit instituted by party members challenging the legality of the process.
In its decision, the Court of Appeal held that the Turaki-led faction could not disguise what it described as a clear violation of the PDP constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as mere “internal party affairs.”
According to the court, matters that involve breaches of party rules and constitutional provisions cannot be shielded from judicial scrutiny under the guise of internal party management.
The appellate court consequently dismissed the appeal and awarded a cost of ₦2 million against the appellants, including Turaki and others.
The ruling effectively sustains the earlier order of the Federal High Court halting the PDP National Convention pending the determination of the substantive issues raised in the suit.
